Hegner Multimax 22-V

I bought this saw, before Christmas and haven't used it very much yet. From what I see, this saw and the 18-VS live up to the Hegner reputation.

I paid a list price for this saw. However, I think it is worth way more than what I paid for it.

Look at Advanced Machinery's Web-Site, if you would like to see what the new saws look like.

I am real happy with this saw.

Bill

Pros

1.  Design is very very simple so there is very little to go wrong.  Because of the simplicity, repairs are usually possible by owner.

2.  Even though a tool is required to change the blades, those with weak hands can still get the blades as tight as needed.

3.  There is almost zero blade travel.  Blade travel is incredibly bad if you are using spirals and going left or right.  Kerf could be a wide as the travel.

4.  The saw is never obsolete.  The design hasn't changed significantly in 20 years (they changed the blower hose and added a table insert.  New parts still fit 20 year old saws.)

5.  Advanced Machinery is good although they are the only support choice (In the U.S.).

6.  If you have to use a Wrench to change blades, the Tuff Wrench is great and easy on the hands

7.  QuickClamp for the top clamp is Awesome!  Wish it would work on my Excalibur.

8.  Buy a Hegner and you get to join the cult of Hegner.  Don't believe it is a cult?  Keep an eye on the comments here :-)

9.  Since they last forever, they stay around, and you can usually find these on Craigs list for a fraction of retail.

10.  7 year warranty on the mechanical parts of the saw.

11.  Quick Tensioner upfront, quick and easy to use.

Cons

1.  Both of my Hegners have more vibration than my EX.  Running on a concrete floor minimizes this tremendously.  Another friend also has both saws and he says his Hegner and Ex have similar vibration.

2.  Cost:  yes it is well made, but is it not made of gold.  The saw, and the parts are way way too expensive, period.

3.  Uses three different blade clamps for different blade sizes.  Middle size clamps work for most operations, but in my usage, they will not hold the smallest blades, requiring an additional purchase from Advanced

4.  This is not a top feeding saw.  You can cheat and remove one of the clamps, but the top arm does not raise enough for top feeding as we normally understand it.

5.  Clamps can pop out and go flying when a blade breaks.

6.  Blade changes require a tool.  That said, going between holes in fretwork does not require a tool because the top QuickClamp is toolless.

7.  If the Hegner does break, as rarely they do, you will have no local support options.

8.  Table is much smaller than any of the high end competitors.

9.  Warranty on any electronic related part is only one year.  The motor alone cost more than the Dewalt 788..

** View Fretwork bottom feed process, then stick around for blade change process:  

***Read Warrantee Carefully:  http://www.advmachinery.com/t-warranties.aspx

I have a Hegner 18" Vir and a Hegner 22" Poly Max belt driven.  I use the 22" nearly 90% of the time and love the saw.  I have had it for about 16 years with only the blower going out on it.  I have owned just about every Scroll saw made and if I were to buy a new saw, it would be another Hegner.  Well worth the money spent

So this is kind if like cars: you can buy an older Mercedes Benz for a lot of money.  Great car, but not the latest features. 

No top feeding is what would keep me away!

Randy, (hotshot) has done a very good job of reviewing the Hegner 22-V.   That being said I would like to add my two cents.   I will say in advance that I have talked to Advance Machinery about their Hegner products and my issues with them.

I have owned a Hegner 22-V for over 7 years and feel qualified to share my opinion of the saw.   I have had no mechanical issues with my saw.   My saw has been very reliable but I have also observed a few shortcomings.   First and foremost are the blade clamps and their relationship to the rest of the saw.   Even though the clamps are reliable I believe the design is outdated.   The clamp design prohibits top feeding, which especially on large fretwork, IMO is a must have.   Unless something is devised by the operator the lower blade clamp can literally fall out of the saw upon a blade break.   I would also like the saw to have a larger table that can be tilted 45 degrees in both directions.   I also believe a saw that cost north of $1500.oo should have a longer warranty period than one year on the motor and electronics.

Until Hegner addresses these issues I do not recommend their saws.   I believe they can and should do better.    

I have the 18" version and bought it used for less than $500. I do not do fret work or use the kind of blades that Hotshot does. That is why my opinion is different than his. Most of my work is Intarsia cutting many different types of wood.

The saw cuts thicker woods with no problem and little vibration. I have no problems with the blade clamps. There are very few saws built as solidly. I do not think you will find many DeWalt saws 20 years old and still running like new. Mine is about that old and runs perfectly.

I have one.  I agree with Stoney, I think it is time for Hegner to modernize their saw.  If it had a lifting arm, more modern clamp system, it would be an unbeatible saw.  As is, it is good for thicker woods, hard woods and such, but for detailed fret work, I don't even try to use it anymore.  I have not been able to use the small spiral blades (3/0) with it. 

Hotshot warned me about this when I was thinking of buying one.  But alas, I had it in my mind I wanted one and did not listen.  For the type of work I like to do I would have been better off with another Excalibur.  If I get into intarsia work or thick wood type cutting, I think I will be very happy with the Hegner.

Okay I just read what I wrote in 2015 just after I purchased my Hegner.  I my view has drastically changed over the past two years.  I figured out my problems with the saw and they were my operator problems.  I now love my Hegner.  Sure it could be modernized, but I enjoy the saw as is also.  If I could only have one saw, I would have my Hegner.  I know it will out live me.

I like Paul read what I wrote in 2015 and would like to add a couple comments about the Hegner Multi-Max 22V.   I have done some modifications to make the saw more user friendly.   

1.   I moved the upper arm stop to allow the arm to raise higher.

2.   I made an auxiliary table to enlarge the working surface area.

3.   I made  a combination sawdust and lower blade clamp catcher.

These modifications make the saw more user friendly but I still contend that Hegner should be the one making the improvements.     

It is a Hegner as in HEGNER no more needs to be said apart from go get yourself one  On a serious note all the things said so far I would agree with it is a great saw and very robust the reliability factor of these made me decide to get one of these rather than any others yes thye are a little expensive but if you have not had to throw any more money at it int he time you have had it that will outweigh the higher price compared to others, I use mine on all sorts of materials with no problem thick or thin the vibration I do not think is bad at all neither is the noise of it either have yet to get round to making a clamp/sawdust collector for the bottom of it I still just have a carrier bag under it to catch the clamp if it pops out.

I'm thinking of bidding on this one. Any suggestions from all you Hegner owners?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hegner-MultiMax-22V-Variable-Speed-Scroll-Saw/332418412441?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

Ray

Well Ray from what I can see from the pictures it looks good.   It appears that it doesn't have the factory stand.   Before you bid you can always ask questions although it appears the time to bid is getting short.   When buying off e.bay I usually watch the bidding and don't place my bid until the last few seconds but that's just me.